Your private guide and driver will pick you up at Xian airport or railway station upon your arrival. To ensure enough time for today’s sightseeing, you’re suggested to arrive before 10:00 am.

Start your Xi’an 2 days itinerary with a visit to the Yangling Mausoleum of Han Dynasty, where Emperor Jing of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) and his empress are buried. One of the spectacles here would be the underground Outside Pits Exhibition Hall, in which there is a dimly-lit corridor beneath your feet encased by transparent glass for you to wonder at the funeral objects like pottery figures with their wooden arms and clothes long since decayed in the dust, figurines of livestock, and barns. Those burial items, all curiously just a third of life size and made of ordinary materials, perfectly reflect the emperor’s governing idea, that is, prioritizing spending on military and people’s welfare over his mausoleum. Also, if you look closely, you’ll find that expressions of the figures are happy and relaxed, which is also a favorable testimony to the long-term stability of society and the prosperity of people’s lives at that time.

Next, we’ll drive to one of Xian’s well-preserved ancient landmarks, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, China’s largest existing brick tower in square pavilion style that dates back to the 6th century. This World Heritage Site is where the palm-leaf scriptures, Buddha statues, and sariras brought back from India by China’s most famous monk Xuanzang were stored. Long before the era of modern transportation, Xuanzang’s grueling 17-year pilgrimage to India was fraught with innumerable hardships. Once when he lost in a desert, he was saved by a wild goose that led him to a vital water source. To repay this kindness, he later named the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda after the bird. His odyssey had inspired many Chinese folk tales, including the classic novel “Journey to the West”, in which Xuanzang, escorted by the supernatural Monkey King, survived 81 perilous trials to successfully bring the Buddhist scriptures back to China.

Afterwards, your guide will escort you to visit the nearby Great Tang All Day Mall, named such for its spectacular lighting and nightlife from 6:30 pm through late midnight. Archaistic buildings, free cultural performances, street food, handicrafts, girls and boys dressed in ancient costumes… You’ll love its prosperous vibes, which will take you to the Golden Era in Chinese history. At last, you’ll be escorted by your guide to the hotel, or wander around here on your own till late and finally take a taxi back to the hotel.

► Restaurant Recommendation for Dinner (at your own expense):
If you decide to stay at the Mall for more fun, then go to the top-listed Running Shaanxi Cuisine, decorated in traditional Chinese style with hanging fish-shaped lanterns and Chinese landscape paintings. Try authentic local dishes, such as Chinese Hamburger and especially the signature Gourd-shaped Chicken, which is stewed, steamed, and fried in sequence to create a crispy skin and tender meat, giving you a rich texture.
Average cost per person: CNY 60 (USD 8.5)
Address: No. 16, 1st Floor, Block E, North Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Yanta District​

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will escort you on a 1-hour car ride to the Terracotta Army Museum, based on an UNESCO-listed archaeological site where more than 9,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses were excavated and found to be the funeral objects of Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC), the first emperor in China’s history. With your guide, marvel at the battle arrays of those clay soldiers, horses, and bronze chariots when standing in front of the three main burial pits. Shockingly, despite being underground for over 2,200 years, the diverse facial details of these battlers could still be seen. Visit the new exhibition hall to take a closer look at the essence of excavations over the past 50 years, many of which are unveiled to the world for the first time! Apart from a high-ranking officer, one of a mere 10 such ones unearthed, also spot a general who boasts a belt with colorful floral motifs - this is nothing short of a miracle as the pigments have remained to this day! It’s evidence of the advanced artisanal techniques and aesthetic taste of ancient craftsmen. Moreover, witness a kneeling armored archer in the front and a standing archer behind, who are actually a combo, working in synergy to attack and defend.

★ Special Treat 1: A Visit to Discoverer’s Home

Talk with the discoverer and his family, witness the hoe used to scoop up the first terracotta fragment, and take a closer look at a 1:1 replica of the first terracotta warrior. Intriguingly, the fragment were initially kept in the pigpen rather than the house, as an old Chinese cultural belief holds that bringing home unearthed burial objects may cause property damage or even danger to the family.

★ Special Treat 2: Mini Warrior DIY Experience

Follow us into a local workshop, mold and carve your own mini warrior using techniques passed down for over 2,000 years under the guidance of local artisans, and take it home as a memento. Your participation definitely helps support the sustainability of this traditional art form and the local community.

Afterward, let’s drive back downtown and climb up the Xian City Wall, the pinnacle of the cold weapon era, which has maintained a tight defense system and witnessed the vicissitudes of this ancient capital for over 600 years. You’ll be surprised to know that the bricks on the walls are firmly bonded with the environmentally friendly ‘adhesive’ made of sticky rice juice and lime, making you can’t help but admire the wisdom of the ancients. Take your time to stroll on this rectangular wonder to enjoy the traditional beauty of Xian’s cityscape from different angles. Single or tandem bicycles are also available on the City Wall, and if you are interested, your guide will be glad to help you rent one at your own expense.

After that, get a glimpse of the Bell and Drum Towers, landmarks standing in the city center, as we transfer to the Muslim Quarter, a boisterous snack street on which the stalls and restaurants are all run by Muslims. This venue is renowned for its various kinds of authentic local food, the most classic of which include Hot Oil Noodles, Cold Noodles, Chinese Hamburger, and Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Soup. During your sightseeing, your expert guide will introduce the unique ingredients and cooking methods of some delicacies to you, and you can choose some that attract you to taste if time allows.

Your 2 days Xian tour comes to an end, and a private ride will take you to the airport or railway station for your onward journey. It's better to book a ticket for a plane or train departing after 18:00. Thank you for traveling with us! If you want an extra day or two to visit more sights around Xian, such as Shaanxi History Museum, Mt. Huashan, Qianling Mausoleum, and Famen Temple, or continue to explore other hot destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin, please feel free to contact us for a tailored itinerary to your preference.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast​